University of Sussex
Browse
1/1
2 files

Of embodied emissions and inequality: rethinking energy consumption

Version 2 2023-06-12, 08:47
Version 1 2023-06-09, 09:18
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-12, 08:47 authored by Lucy Baker
This paper situates concepts of energy consumption within the context of growing research on embodied emissions. Using the UK as a case study I unpack the global socio-economic and ecological inequalities inherent in the measurement of greenhouse gas emissions on a territorial basis under the international climate change framework. In so doing, I problematise questions of distribution, allocation and responsibility with regards to the pressing need to reduce global GHG emissions and the consumption that generates them. I challenge the disproportionate emphasis that energy policy places on supply as opposed to demand, as well as its overriding focus on the national scale. Consequently I argue that any low carbon transition, in addition to a technological process, is also a geographical one that will involve the reconfiguration of "current spatial patterns of economic and social activity" (Bridge et al., 2013:331), as well as relationships both within countries and regions and between them.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Published version

Journal

Energy Research and Social Science

ISSN

2214-6296

Publisher

Elsevier

Volume

36

Page range

52-60

Department affiliated with

  • SPRU - Science Policy Research Unit Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2017-12-11

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2018-12-06

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2017-12-11

Usage metrics

    University of Sussex (Publications)

    Categories

    No categories selected

    Licence

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC